For curiosity's sake, who else ground-hunts only for deer? Around here, I am the only one that I know of that does not climb a tree.
And...if you do only ground-hunt, do you use blinds only, still-hunt only, or a combination of both?
Hope you had a great season!
This is how I do it. I will also stalk if the opportunity arises.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jjeffer/lowerflatsit_zpsff7d844c.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/jjeffer/media/lowerflatsit_zpsff7d844c.jpg.html)
I use natural ground blinds, or stand in front of large trees. Stalking is my favorite way to hunt when conditions are right. Sitting on the ground with no blind seems an improbable way to hunt. I do use tree stands also, but like and use whatever method is most fitting. I don't limit myself or my methods of hunting especially when it come to the weary whitetail.
Do you use any type of portable roll up blind when you ground hunt and what about success rate compared to tree stand hunting. I was wanting to do the same thing in areas that did not have a good tree but wondered if it could be pulled off consistently on hard pressured whitetails
I now hunt exclusively from the ground. I used to climb trees for decades, but I know of too many people who've have accidents and I hunt with 2 cops and my neighbor is a nurse on the medevac chopper and, as the father of 4 and hearing all the horror stories from those who get called in on the 911 calls, I have zero need to ever climb a tree again to kill a deer when I can kill all I want from the comfort of the ground.
Is there any other way? :thumbsup: :archer:
I put up a ladder stand, the compound boys respect your location if there is a stand, but they will kick a natural blind apart and put their tree stand there, thinking that they found a secret spot and claimed for themselves. I tie a ghillie net to the ladder stand, then they leave it all alone. Most of the time I hunt where the wind blows me for the day and use a poncho and natural cove, but I like to have a home place when the wind is right for it.
This fall I still hunted for mule deer in typical whitetail habitat...I got no shots but was within 15 yards of a mule deer doe and a whitetail buck...I just need to fine tune my skills next year...I even have a new bow being made for that type of hunting
DDave
Moving in that direction. I have always climbed like a squirrel but got careless last year. Starting an anti-inflammatory tomorrow for my shoulder.
Not the primary reason for ground pounding however. I just plain like it. I will use a stand where I think it makes sense. But 90% of the time a natural blind.
I'm starting to lean more into it. I killed my first off the ground this season and I loved it!
I'm a ground pounder!
Tom
As am I.
I've hunted exclusively from the ground ever since I spent 7 years photographing deer rather than shooting arrows at them. Magazines don't want pics from stands of course, so I learned to hunt from the ground.
Now that I've learned how to do it (after over 20 years of practice), I wonder how I ever tolerated the boredom and low sighting ratio of sitting in a tree.
If done correctly, roaming is by far the most productive way to hunt (in my opinion), but it isn't for everyone.
Relative boredom, that is :) Any time you're out in the woods, it's enjoyable...
Yes I do. Love being on the same level with the deer
Not really a deer hunter but when I go its on the ground with our black tails they can be here one day and ten miles someplace ells. That's the only worth while way to hunt coyotes.
I put up two ladder stands this year and spent less than 15 min. in them total. Can't stand it. Also bought a ground blind put it up and never got in it.
Hap
QuoteOriginally posted by Matthew Bolton:
I'm starting to lean more into it. I killed my first off the ground this season and I loved it!
Ditto!
i do and have been for 10 years
I broke down and bought a ladder stand but didnt use it but twice this season
I like the shot angle from the ground,plus its funner
A ground hugger I is.
I climbed a tree 3 times this year, I much prefer the comfort and safety of the ground. Natural blinds can be made in the early spring or summer, another fun thing to do while out scouting or during a lull in turkey hunting...
If I get bored in one spot I still-hunt to another area and sit for a change of scenery. That's probably when the deer move through where I just left. :knothead:
I haven't climbed a tree in 7 years, I own a primos blind which is very effective but I felt detached from the hunt in the dark room.
For four years I have used a ghillie and have had some incredible experiences being close to game.Several years ago I held my breath waiting for a buck to walk far enough away for me to draw my bow. That is hunting.
I sit in front of a tree on a foam cushion in good camo probably killed a 100 deer doing that over the last 40 years. No blind.
Do the same with my shotgun hunting turkey's and if you can fool their eyes deer with my bow are easy. I practice shooting sitting down with my back against a tree in my yard. It's different when your bow is nearly parallel with the ground.
Tree stands are ok I've used them but think they really only are a big advantage to gun hunters because you can see way off. I haven't gun hunted deer in many years I bow hunt only even in gun season which is legal here in ga
Ground only, though I hunt more coyote than deer. Even before the chair I was never a good climber. Rather sit in a natural blind or an artificial one. Want to make a ghillie suit fir this year though.
Another ground-only hunter here. Like Jerry Jeffer above I usually sit/stand/kneel quietly in view of a deer trail, although I occasionally stalk if I see action where I'm not. I don't wear camo or a ghillie suit either; usually just a plaid shirt and slacks (and orange vest if required by the state I'm in. Deer are not particularly bothered by humans who are not dressed in large blocks of solid bright colors...
Traditional ground hunter al year except first day of gun season. Then I'll climb a tree and stand on a limb or in a crotch. Bad experience some years back on the first day in the mountain laurel on ground. My bad, they couldn't see me. Had wood chips all over the place in fresh snow.
I think both treestand and ground hunting have their advantages. When I started deer hunting in 1975, the only treestands available were the Baker [death traps], my dad bought a few for us but I never killed a deer from a treestand in my 38 years of deer hunting.
Sold my treestands 7 or 8 yars ago. I've been debating buying a couple more stands for next year but I haven't convinced myself yet. lol
Killed all my deer from the ground here in south Alabama. I've hunted 80% of my hunting years from the ground.
Even though there are times a treestand would be an advantage in certain situations, I've noticed that hunting from the ground is more adaptable to the area I'm hunting than a treestand.
You have to face the fact that most hunters today think it is strange to think you can take a deer from the ground.
I get some strange looks around here when folks find out I hunt from the ground. lol
Thats all I do. Don't like heights at all. Tried to practice shooting out of a stand this summer but couldn't get over the height and shoot comfortable. Sold the stand.
britt, I like the idea of being able to see more of the area around me from a treestand but about 10-12 ft is all I can handle, never been crazy bout heights.
Lot of the woods I hunt in close to my house, a treestand limits my shooting lanes because of the thick swamp trees. Unless I'm on a firelane or pipeline,ect..a ground blind is more adaptable.
I like reading these threads, they help convince me not to buy anymore treestands. :)
Seriously, I think both are good ways to hunt but hunting from the ground seems more like fun .vs a chore, for me.
Ground hunt only here.
Ground pounder here. Love it.
can anyone recommend a good portable stool or chair to sit in while ground hunting to eliminate movement trying to get up while preparing for a shot at a deer or whatever.
I've been pounding for about the last ten years off and on more on the last five years. Love the ground!
Marsh Chicken, I've had about every stool or seat that one could own, I now have the "Spot 360" (sponsor here) and it's the best I've used.
Been on the ground for a while......just seems more like hunting to me, not waiting. I guess it's the same but to me it seems different. :dunno: I know when a deer is at 3 yards and you can count whiskers and eye lashes it is pretty neat! :cool:
Just read my cyber name....... :D
I'm a 100% tree hunter for whitetails. I love climbing trees, I love the view from trees....I just love trees! Been in the trees bowhunting since 1970.
When I was in the 4th-5th grade my family had a large elm in the front yard. I spent the better part of many days in that tree. (It was the only peace I could get with 4 brothers and a sister!)
I can spend hours sitting in a treestand but I'm not patient enough to hunt from the ground.
When the critter I'm hunting is best hunted from the ground I'm fine with it. I hunt on the ground for spring turkey and when I hunt out west.
I would like to try a little ground hunting for whitetails maybe next season, God willing. Just for a little different perspective.
I hunted very little this year due to circumstances beyond my control, but I am trying to hunt more and more from the ground. I have built some good brush blinds and have a couple of natural ambush spots that require no special preparation. as I get older, I just like being closer to the ground.
I've never hunted from a tree stand. Don't think I ever will.
Just read this sad story today.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/01/01/alabama-hunter-in-serious-condition-after-falling-from-tree-landing-on-arrow/?intcmp=latestnews
Just when I think I'm going to hang stands the "Hunter Falls From Treestand" threads start appearing. I've chickened out the last three years and have hunted from the ground only. I killed my first deer from the ground this year and I believe I'm hooked.
I do miss being in a tree sometimes. I'm just not so sure it is worth the risk. I'm trying to convince myself to sell all my stands.
QuoteOriginally posted by Red Beastmaster:
Just when I think I'm going to hang stands the "Hunter Falls From Treestand" threads start appearing. I've chickened out the last three years and have hunted from the ground only. I killed my first deer from the ground this year and I believe I'm hooked.
I do miss being in a tree sometimes. I'm just not so sure it is worth the risk. I'm trying to convince myself to sell all my stands.
I feel your pain. I've already sold mine, debating on buying some more stands...we'l see.
Did a lot of tree stand hunting in the last 20 years and enjoyed it but got bit with the ground hunting early and always did a lot of it.
Been on the ground exclusively for the last few years and really enjoy the challenge of putting all the pieces together and having an encounter and/or kill eye to eye.
Larry Dalhberg speaking on fishing once said, "There are 4 phases of fishing: When you start fishing you just want to catch one, then you want to catch a lot of fish, then you want to catch a big one and finally you want to catch them the way you want to catch them." I think I am at the 4 stage with deer. I want to hunt em the way I want to hunt em and that's from the ground.
I've always hunted from trees-- just the way i learned to do it. I've killed a lot of deer from trees and only 2 from the ground, and those two were purely by accident. I committed to climbing down from the trees the week following Thanksgiving and i have had some cool encounters. I even missed one deer twice. I really enjoy being on the ground and i am MUCH more comfortable sitting in a chair or pacseat. I am having serious thoughts about leaving the stands in the barn next year and doing all my business from the ground.
I think you'll find there are a lot more hunters that hunt on the ground out west than there are tree stand hunters. I bought a tree stand to fly back to Illinois and hunt white tails. After that i rarely used it. I prefer stalking deer and elk both in the mornings, and will find a natural blind in the evenings some times..... I don't much care for tree stands.
Those seven years hunting on the ground with a camera and tripod (after 15 years in a tree with gun/bow) showed me that deer are really not the superhuman beings that the hunting magazines made them sound like back in the 80s and 90s. Nowadays, I think the young people begin hunting out of trees because that's all they've ever seen. They don't know that there are other methods.
I'm a believer in challenging conventional wisdom - especially after those years with the camera.
I got to witness huge buck behavior up close. Most hunters pull the trigger when the first killing shot presents itself, and their behavior-watching is over for that day and maybe for that year. When I photographed, I pushed the shutter release and kept on learning. I was in a 3,000 acre no-hunting zone, so you can imagine how many big bucks were running around to watch!
It was an eye-opener for me.
When photography got too competitive, and when it became too much like a job, I went back to flintlock and recurve. I didn't go back to tree stands, however. Carrying, placing, and worrying about stands (and paying for them!) was also like a job. I just wanted to wander and sit, and as someone above posted, hunt them however I felt like hunting them. And NONE of that involves anything that resembles work whatsoever :) I LOVE the freedom of ground-hunting!
One of these days I'll bore everyone with a thread about a tactic I came up with back in those photography days. It's a lot like fall turkey hunting, but it works wonders on rutting deer...
Count me in on ground pounding only too!
I have found this thread to be very intyerewting in that the number of ground hunters so outnumber tree hunters, at least in this case. I always hunted from the ground until about twelve years ago when I decided to try both ladder and tree climbing stands. At my age (74)I am glad that I did so if only to experience the physical challenge of hunting our rugged area (climbing with tree stand etc.) ,setting up and reversing the process at the end of the hunt. The physicality itself is fun and I do like the view from a modest 12'. Shooting more deer doesn't hurt either but I admit the ground hunting experience is more exciting-and for me more frustrating even though over the years I have had some success with it. Lou
Del, I think it's probably a case of tree hunters not caring to answer a post about ground hunting. I think for most people, tree-hunting is probably the best option if killing deer is the goal.
I've been fortunate in that I got to learn ground hunting where there was no hunting pressure and plenty of deer to practice on. Now that I have so many years under my belt, I think that if I were to go back to a tree, my success rate would plunge severely. I'm an odd-ball, though.
I can't set in one place very long so I utilize setting and stalking.
I only hunt from the ground, mostly 'cuz climbing trees & this fat guy don't mix! Hell, I've broken bones just falling from my own height!
Blog, I'm plenty interested in hearing about your developed tactics. I haven't (yet!) successfully killed anything but time in my woods wandering, so I'm always looking for advice from those that are experienced to learn from.
I am ground hunting more and more lately. This year all four deer have come via still hunt/spot and stalk. Last year three of them did. I use mostly still hunting and natural blinds. It works if you let it.
Not "only", but more each year. I really enjoy it more, but I am not ready to totally give up the air.
I tend to use my ghillie suit when on the ground, and make a very minimal blind. Even just a few whisps of still hanging dried leaves make me blend that much better.
ChuckC
There is definitely a place for ground hunting and a place for treestand hunting. If I were to only ground hunt I would set up in areas that were mostly void of trees able to hold a stand. I think also another benefit of hunting off the ground is you can hunt areas that most bow hunters will over look. Most want to be in a tree, so you can hunt areas where deer still travel that are void of trees and increase your odds. If all you ever hunted was big timber, I'd pry figure out a way to get up in the tree to your comfort level. It really helps to be able to see the animal coming before it's right on top of you. But, there's a place for ground hunting and you can be very successful if good at it.
I have hunted about 95% of my time from tree stands, BUT I do enjoy the ground. I feel more planted on the ground as I am not a big climber and struggle with some set ups.
I think next year will be a transition year for me. My son will be turning 15 this spring and getting his Hunter ED course done and joining me in the woods. It might just be the ideal time to switch and start him off on the ground. We can make it a part of his learning curve about the woods by going out and scouting spots early and building some blinds. And if he does want to be elevated I would much rather him be in a ladder style stand.
John
I hunt from the ground only also. For sitting, I highly recommend that Huntmore chair, along with an extra foam pad, as the padding on the seal portion is a little thin. I strap it into my badlands pack and can spend all day moving from spot to spot and sitting a while. Good stuff!
I got a Really Bum Left Knee, and have never been wild about heights :eek: , so I dont Climb anywho. I figure Ground Hunting is the Fairest of All Hunting. :thumbsup:
Gets ya Eyeball to Eyeball with the Critters! :goldtooth:
6'6" 340 a bad knee and a HUGE dislike of heights... I am not climbing any tree's, I hunt natural ground blinds only
QuoteOriginally posted by J Dean:
I have hunted about 95% of my time from tree stands, BUT I do enjoy the ground. I feel more planted on the ground as I am not a big climber and struggle with some set ups.
I think next year will be a transition year for me. My son will be turning 15 this spring and getting his Hunter ED course done and joining me in the woods. It might just be the ideal time to switch and start him off on the ground. We can make it a part of his learning curve about the woods by going out and scouting spots early and building some blinds. And if he does want to be elevated I would much rather him be in a ladder style stand.
John
Starting your son off on the ground is a great idea...It will make him a better and more patient hunter. My dad started me off at age 12 on the ground with my bow. We would build a small ground blind together and I would sit in it for the evening. He usually chose to set up in a treestand but I was always on the ground. It also limited the amount of stuff we had to carry into the woods collectively. I've taken a few deer off the ground and as long as you have a good hide, you'll do just fine.
I hunt from the ground a lot after the leaves fall. I do have a better hit ratio from the trees. When you get'em eye ball to eye ball I sometimes rush my shot. :rolleyes: It ALWAYS gets the old heart pumping though!
QuoteOriginally posted by Fattony77:
Blog, I'm plenty interested in hearing about your developed tactics. I haven't (yet!) successfully killed anything but time in my woods wandering, so I'm always looking for advice from those that are experienced to learn from.
One of the big eureka moments I had was last year, and it came from some "Voice of Customer" and LEAN training that I had. I asked myself, what is my goal here?
I figured out that while my goal should have been plainly stated "Get a good shot" or "Get in range of a good buck", it turned out that as I was still-hunting, my unintended - but actual - goal was to "Not spook any deer". Therefore, I was not getting as many opportunities as I should have. I sure was good at not spooking deer, though!
Spooked deer are a part of still-hunting if you are trying to maximize opportunities. I found out that while I was not spooking deer in previous years, I also was at a plateau in how many deer I got shots at, or was within range of.
When I changed my goal to "Maximize sighted deer and shot opportunities", then I experienced a huge increase in deer within bow range.
Once I accepted the fact that during the rut, if I spook a doe and/or yearlings that are not in heat, then I've not lost much. I started getting into doe chases and traveling bucks much more often. But that's just part of it :)
Of course, my strategies involve having a lot of ground to hunt. It won't work on 50 acres...
Tried tree stands back in the 80s when they got popular,never cared that much for them, never was one to sit still for long & ground hunting gave me the perfect excuse to explore.
If it were meant for me to be in the trees I would've been created with a long bushy tail.
I bought a hanger this year when I went trad but I never even put the thing up. A ground blind doesn't have to be elaborate to work. I've had good success just leaning back (or sitting up against) a large tree. a few deadfall limbs or brush breaks up my outline enough to get it done, if the wind is right. Really would like to try a ghillie suit in 2014
I started hunting out of a tree back in 1972 when guy welded me up an all aluminum copy of the old Baker Tree Stand. I killed a bunch of deer out of it but also fell out of a few trees also over the years. Over the years I got the idea I had to be in a tee to kill deer. About 8 years ago I started bunting turkeys out of a blind with my bow and realized I was getting deer pretty close to my blinds. This year I have killed 3 deer out of a tee and 3 old of my blind. I do what the conditions present but am starting to favor the ground for most of the reasons previously mentioned. I don't like building blinds though. It gives up to much information to other hunters. Lots of pressure where I hunt.
I used to hunt from tree stand but had several close calls. Found that I was sharing a tree with hornets, climbing stand dropped to bottom of the tree when I was trying to secure it to the tree, (seemed like it took till early summer for my chest and arms to heal from slowing sliding down that tree) and Had three stands stolen from trees on my own private property. Tried the pop-up hub blinds. Young deer didn't seem to mind them but the older seasoned deer almost seem to turn inside out at the sight of it (even Brushed-in) and set up several months before season). In 30 years of hunting I've taken maybe three deer from an elevated stand and two from a hub blind. I taken countless other deer either in the open, from a seat on a stump or from a strap-on swivel tree seat from the ground. I think I'm going to keep my hunting plated firmly on the ground.
last five deer that i killed i was on the ground. i am getting to old to climb trees
Think I'm going to get me a Spot 360 chair and forget about buying anymore treestands.
Lot more comfortable on the ground.
QuoteOriginally posted by tracker12:
I started hunting out of a tree back in 1972 when guy welded me up an all aluminum copy of the old Baker Tree Stand. I killed a bunch of deer out of it but also fell out of a few trees also over the years. Over the years I got the idea I had to be in a tee to kill deer. About 8 years ago I started bunting turkeys out of a blind with my bow and realized I was getting deer pretty close to my blinds. This year I have killed 3 deer out of a tee and 3 old of my blind. I do what the conditions present but am starting to favor the ground for most of the reasons previously mentioned. I don't like building blinds though. It gives up to much information to other hunters. Lots of pressure where I hunt.
Another tell that gives too much info to other hunters is a game camera. They see a camera, they figure you put it there for a reason. I had one guy hunt my camera every day for a week.
For you ground hunters:
I have heard of using a turkey diaphragm call when walking through the woods to give deer some peace of mind.
But, I was thinking, has anyone used a turkey decoy while deer hunting to kinda attract the deers eyes away from your spot? Turkey dexoys are easily carried in a pack, so it wouldnt be much trouble.
QuoteOriginally posted by Thumper Dunker:
with our black tails they can be here one day and ten miles someplace ells.
Certainly seems that way at times.
Spent a little time in a ladder stand in AR a few years ago during the rifle season. Heard a heavy deer come through not even 30 yards away but couldn't see through all the darned branches in my way. Couldn't just get down to trail it either. It felt too confining.
I was taught to hunt from the ground (with a rifle). I can still hunt for days and never feel bored. Can't say the same for the tree stand or elaborate blind setup. Besides, if the deer are always moving, I figure I better do the same. Natural blinds are everywhere behind boulders, trees logs, etc. Why settle for just one?
QuoteOriginally posted by marsh chicken:
can anyone recommend a good portable stool or chair to sit in while ground hunting to eliminate movement trying to get up while preparing for a shot at a deer or whatever.
Practice shooting from a seated position on the ground with the bow nearly horizontal. Then all you need is a foam pad and a good rock or tree to lean against.
The soft talk turkey thing does work. I would need to get a new fold up turkey decoy to try that. Some old bored out his mind from sittin' too long when fall turkey/deer hunting bugger started taking pot shots at it and eventually shredded it. Some of those decoys start looking like targets after a while and a little field practice never hurts.
Pavan, I hope you can find that guy and make him buy you a new decoy, ;)
I have hunted out of a treestand a couple times. I enjoy the mobility of hunting on the ground. I go where the wind dictates and can set up a spot in 5 minutes. I keep pruning sheers in my pack. When I get to a new spot I trim saplings and stick them in the ground around where my seat will be. It is simple and that works for me.
Yes, I have rarely used a stand since I started hunting with traditional equipment. I definitely see the advantages of being in a tree, but I love being on the ground, face to face with 'em.
Almost exclusively from the ground for me. Not sure why I stopped going up a tree for the most part. Maybe less stuff to carry in and worry about getting stolen? Only use natural blinds, deadfalls, etc., no commercial tent style blinds. Although I do own a couple of them. I just can't hear good enough while in them so I leave 'em for the kids to use. Do stalk also when the opportunity arises but for me it's mostly sit and wait.
I started hunting the ground over the last 10 years and use natural blow downs and try to use the root ball as much as possible when I can. I killed a 7 point several years ago hiding under the umbrella of a root ball. Had a wild turkey walk about 3 feet in front of me and didn't even know I was there.
When I do get a chance to scout I look for several trees that have fell and look for trails funneling from food source to bedding.
I put keep my cloths sprayed with earth scent and keep them in a plastic tubs as well.
I've been hunting whitetails exclusively off the ground for the last 10 years or so, and have managed to take at least one each year. I am going to use a hang on stand this year, though, at least for a few hunts. The main reason is that I've got a few great spots for one, and will only hunt them when the wind is perfect.
Like others have said, I do greatly prefer the mobility of hunting off the ground, not to mention the safety. One thing for sure, though, if you are using natural cover, you had better be willing to pass up on some close shots. When you are at eye level with a deer, they will pick up on any movement.
Take a look at this video. I was sitting on a Niff-T seat with my back to a small bunch of dogwoods and a big bunch of beauty berry; nothing in front of me. A group of does had just moved by my right at about 15 feet, but I had no shot. I heard this deer coming from about 100 yards away. When I saw he was not a legal buck, I slowly lifted my phone and recorded.
https://vimeo.com/184127988
Pay close attention and think about when you would shoot. When he steps over that little log and stops, he's only about 6 or 7 feet in front of me. When this section of the video ends, he's about 12 yards, maybe a little less. Then think about how slowly you would have to move to not spook him. If you didn't already have your bow and body in position, you'd probably be out of luck. Your gear also needs to be as quiet as possible. Even an arrow making noise on the riser as you draw will give you away.
Incidents like this happen to me a few times every year. Most times, though, I'm much better hidden, and they don't even realize I'm there. I do also like to have some cover in front of me. I take a 6' piece of burlap and drape it up, high enough so that my arrow barely clears it. Kind of like this:
(https://i.imgur.com/zIoVdtn.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by pavan:
I put up a ladder stand, the compound boys respect your location if there is a stand
Guessing you have never hunted in Michigan.....the "compound boys" (or some trad boys for that matter) respect nobody.....since forever as I remember.
QuoteOriginally posted by Jerry Jeffer:
This is how I do it. I will also stalk if the opportunity arises.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jjeffer/lowerflatsit_zpsff7d844c.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/jjeffer/media/lowerflatsit_zpsff7d844c.jpg.html)
Yep...me too! I hunt from the ground exclusively nowadays.
Only the ground for me.
Have merely hunted three times, thus far, this season and will be hunting full swing the last week of October. Have passed on five separate solid shot opportunities under 15 yards.